Appliance with intuitive cooking temperature feedback interface

ABSTRACT

A cooktop for a cooking appliance includes at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor detecting the temperature of the heating element and/or an area of the cooktop. At least one indicator light conveys the detected temperature. A controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and output a control signal to the indicator light, which provides a visual representation of the detected temperature through a continuous change of the color and/or the intensity of the indicator light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/347,892 filed Jun. 9, 2016. The entirety of the aforementioned application is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The following description relates generally to a cooking appliance and, more specifically, to a user interface that displays intuitive feedback to a consumer concerning cooking-related information, such as the actual temperature of a cooktop.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Conventional cooktops often include various indicators to inform the consumer when the heating elements are ON or when the cooktop remains at an elevated temperature from a recent cooking operation. For example, such indicators may include lights on the cooktop that illuminate while the cooktop remains above a certain temperature. Other indicators may display the word “HOT” or similar indicia. However, the known indicators do not provide information to the consumer concerning “how hot” the cooktop may be.

SUMMARY

According to one general aspect, a cooktop may be provided. The cooktop has a heating element and a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of at least a portion of the cooktop. The cooktop also includes an indicator light configured to provide a visual representation of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The cooktop further includes a controller configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and to output a control signal to the indicator light so that the indicator light provides visual representation of the detected temperature through a continuous change in color and/or an intensity of the emitted light.

In another general aspect, a cooking appliance may be provided. The cooking appliance has a cooktop, a cooking cavity enclosed by a housing, and a heating element associated with the cooktop and/or the cooking cavity. The cooking appliance also has a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of at least a portion of the cooktop and/or the cooking cavity. The cooking appliance also includes an indicator light configured to provide a visual representation of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The cooking appliance further includes a controller configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and to output a control signal to the indicator light so that the indicator light provides visual representation of the detected temperature through a continuous change in color and/or an intensity of the emitted light.

Other features and aspects may be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of an example cooking appliance;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, plan view of an example cooktop; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example user interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which example embodiments are shown. However, aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Moreover, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a cooking appliance, such as an oven range 100. The oven range 100 can be built-in, wall-mounted or freestanding, although other configurations could also be used. The illustrated oven range 100 includes a housing 101, a cooktop 106, a cooking cavity 102 enclosed by the housing 101 with front opening 103, a heating element 104, and a door 105 for closing the cavity 102. The embodiment of the cooking appliance in FIG. 1 includes both an oven cooking cavity 102 and a cooktop 106 with a plurality of heating elements operable to elevate the temperature of food items. However, alternate embodiments of the cooking appliance can include only a cooktop with heating elements, without the oven cavity. For the sake of brevity, however, the embodiment of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 1 will be used as an example to describe the user interface 20 below.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the cooktop surface 106 can be a substantially-planar glass pane that conceals a plurality of heating elements 14, 16, 18. Alternatively, e.g. in the case of a gas- or electric coil-burner cooktop the cooktop surface 106 could include openings through which such burners may extend, and can be made at least partially of metal. The heating elements 14, 16, 18 can be various types, such as electrical resistance elements, induction heating elements, or gas burners. Similarly, the heating elements 14, 16, 18 could apply to cooktop surfaces (e.g., ranges, cooking hobs) or enclosed cooking ovens, or even outdoor grills. For brevity and simplicity, the user interface 20 will be described herein with reference to electric heating elements, but it is to be understood that the user interface 20 could similarly be applied to other types of elements as noted above.

Each heating element 14, 16, 18 can have at least one operational setting, which may relate to a single-segment heating element or a multi-segment heating element. In this regard, the operational setting may relate to the heating element 14, 16, 18 as a whole, or to one or more individual segments of a multi-segment design. Any or all of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 can include a single segment or a multi-segment construction that can provide a variable size cooking zone. In the examples shown in FIG. 2, one heating element 14 can include a pair of spaced-apart outer heating segments 14 a, 14 c with bridge segment 14 b located therebetween. In another example, a heating element 18 can include a two or more concentric inner and outer heating segments 18 a, 18 b, 18 c. Thus, for the heating elements 14 or 18, changing the operational settings of the different segments 14 a, 14 b, 14 c or 18 a, 18 b, 18 c with respect to their individual power settings will thereby change the size and/or power output of the cooking zone area provided by each heating element 14, 18. For example, a user could choose to operate element 14 a alone for a relatively small cooking pot, or for a low power (e.g., simmer) operation. The user could even choose to operate the outward segments 14 a, 14 c separately for use with two smaller pots. Alternatively, the user could choose to simultaneously operate two or more adjacent segments (i.e., 14 a, 14 b or 14 b, 14 c) or even all three segments (14 a, 14 b, 14 c) if larger cooking vessels are being used (similarly for segments 18 a, 18 b, 18 c).

A user interface 20 can control operations of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 according to user touches on the interface, which may be on the cooktop 106 or elsewhere. A controller 22 is operatively connected to the user interface 20, and alters the operational settings of the respective heating elements 14, 16, 18 (or individual segments thereof) in response to instructions input via the user interface 20. Example user interface devices 20 for controlling the heat output of the burners 14, 16, 18 include rotary encoders, potentiometers, touch sensors, and the like. As described in more detail below, the user interface 20 can further include a display 36 for conveying cooking information to the user, such as status ON/OFF or level/temperature settings of the respective heating elements 14, 16, 18, temperature of the cooktop 106 or of the respective heating elements 14, 16, 18, alarm conditions, etc.

A power unit 24 may be operatively connected between the controller 22 and the heating elements 14, 16, 18, (and may even be part of the controller 22), to thereby control electrical power supplied to the heating elements 14, 16, 18 (or individual segments thereof). In this manner, the controller 22 (via the power unit 24) can alter respective operational settings of the heating elements 14, 16, 18, e.g. by turning them ON or OFF (or by opening/closing electrically controlled gas valves), and by increasing or decreasing a level of power output of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 (including altering the power output of the heating element as a whole, or to one or more individual segments thereof).

In the case of an electric induction heating element 16, the power unit can provide or drive a generator to conduct a high-frequency (e.g., at least 10 kHz, at least 20 kHz, etc.) alternating current to be conducted through a wound heating coil 17 to thereby generate an induced current in a cooking vessel supported above the heating coil 17. In the case of an electric resistance element 18 heated by current flowing therethrough, the power unit can deliver and regulate voltage and/or current to the heating element 18 to produce the desired heat output. In the case of a gas burner, the controller 22 and power unit 24 can be similarly used to control electrically operated gas valves. It is further understood that a single power unit 24 may control all of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 (including all individual segments thereof), or multiple power units can be used to control one or more of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 or one or more of the heating segments within each or several of those elements. For example, in a hybrid induction-electric cooktop that includes both electrical resistance elements and induction heating elements, one power unit can be provided for the induction element(s) and another power unit can be provided for the electrical resistance element(s). It is understood that one or more power units can be used with various configurations of heating elements. The controller 22 and power unit 24 can similarly be used to control the bake, broil, and convection elements of the oven cavity.

In the case of an electric cooktop, the plurality of electric heating elements 14, 16, 18 can be supported below the cooktop surface 106 (often referred to as a “glass top” cooking surface), and cooking vessels can be supported directly upon the cooktop surface 106 vertically above the heating elements 14, 16, 18. In one example, the user interface 20 can be a part of the cooktop surface 106 such that the cooktop surface 106 is the external surface of the user interface 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the user interface 20 can be located towards the right-hand side of the cooktop 106, while the heating elements can be located on the left-hand side. Still, other configurations can be considered, such as where the user interface 20 can be provided on a separate substrate layered upon the cooktop 106 (such as a drop-in control system), or where the user interface 20 is provided on another surface of the cooking appliance (such as a front panel 110 for example) that is separate from the cooktop 106.

As further shown in FIG. 2, each heating element 14, 16, 18 can have one or more adjacent temperature sensor(s) 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d associated with it. Thus, each of the temperature sensors 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d can be adjacent one heating element, but remote from the remaining heating elements. Each temperature sensor 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d is typically installed beneath the surface of the cooktop 106 and adjacent the respective heating element 14, 16, 18 for ascertaining and communicating the temperature of each heating element 14, 16, 18 to the controller 22 via communication lines (not numbered in FIG. 2) that may run beneath the surface of the cooktop 106 from each temperature sensor 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d to the controller 22.

In certain embodiments, the cooktop 106 can include one or more additional temperature sensors 26 that may not be adjacent to any particular heating element 14, 16, 18, but that may be remote from all of the heating elements 14, 16, 18. For example, the additional temperature sensor(s) 26 can detect the level of indirect heating of various areas of the cooktop 106 surface from adjacent heating elements 14, 16, 18 and communicate information about the temperature of these areas to the controller 22 via communication line(s) (not numbered in FIG. 2) that may run beneath the cooktop 106 from the temperature sensor(s) 26 to the controller 22.

A digital or an analog signal proportionate to or otherwise representative of the measured temperature is generated by each temperature sensor 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d, 26 and sent to the controller 22. The signal(s) generated by each temperature sensor 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d, 26 may be processed digitally by the controller 22 to produce a control signal that is used to control a temperature display, as described below. Example temperature sensors 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d, 26 can include thermocouples, thermistors, infrared temperature sensors, etc. In an embodiment in which the temperature sensors 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d, 26 include thermocouples, such a thermocouple for example can output a milli-volt signal that is proportional to a sensed temperature. Thus, by analyzing the signal levels from the various thermocouples, the controller 22 can determine the temperature of the surface of the cooktop 106 near each of the heating elements 14, 16, 18, or it can determine a temperature profile of the cooktop across its surface based on temperature data from discrete points adjacent that surface corresponding to the locations of the thermocouples (or other sensors).

As further shown in FIG. 2, each heating element 14, 16, 18 can be associated with at least one indicator light 19 (only the indicator lights of heating element 14 a are shown in FIG. 2) for communicating information about the temperature of the respective heating element 14, 16, 18 based on a control signal from the controller 22. Light-emitting elements can include for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), vacuum fluorescent displays, liquid crystal display (LCD) elements, etc. Each indicator light 19 can be a discrete, individual LED that is varied between ON and OFF states.

The indicator light(s) 19 may be connected to the controller 22 via communication line(s) (not numbered in FIG. 2) that run beneath the surface of the cooktop 106, for example. The indicator light(s) 19 may be directly connected to the power unit 24, for example beneath the surface of the cooktop 106, so that the indicator light(s) 19 can be illuminated.

In an embodiment, the indicator light(s) 19 may be indirectly connected to the power unit 24. For example, an electricity storage device may be electrically coupled to the power unit 24 and configured to illuminate the indicator light(s) 19. The electricity storage device may be any suitable device capable of storing electricity. For example, the electricity storage device may include a capacitor or a resistor-capacitive circuit (RC circuit). The electricity storage device may subsequently supply the stored electricity to the indicator light(s) 19, either directly or indirectly, while the heating elements 14, 16, 18 are in an OFF state to illuminate the indicator light(s) 19. Alternatively, the indicator light(s) 19 may be illuminated directly by the power unit 24 in response to a control signal supplied by the controller 22 to the power unit 24 to illuminate the indicator light(s) 19.

The electricity storage device may be sized to store an appropriate amount of electricity for the indicator light(s) 19 to remain illuminated until the heating elements 14, 16, 18 are cool enough to touch after they are switched to an OFF state. For example, the electricity storage device may be sized to keep the indicator light(s) 19 illuminated until the residual temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 is in the range of 25° C. to 65° C. Such a size calculation of the electricity storage device may be based on the highest temperature the heating elements 14, 16, 18 are capable of reaching and the time the heating elements 14, 16, 18 need to cool down after they are turned off. For example, the electricity storage device may be configured to store up to 12 V, which may be sufficient electricity to illuminate the indicator light(s) 19 from the time the heating elements 14, 16, 18 are set to OFF until they are cool enough to avoid a burning hazard on contact.

The controller 22 can be configured to control the indicator light(s) 19 so that whenever a specified surface temperature of a particular heating element 14, 16, 18 is reached, the associated indicator light 19 is illuminated and remains illuminated as long as a specified surface temperature of the respective heating element 14, 16, 18 is maintained. For example, the controller 22 can be configured to control the light-emitting color, intensity, light effects, etc., of each indicator light 19 via control signals provided from the controller 22 in response to signals transmitted by the temperature sensors 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d, 26 indicative of local temperatures. This allows any one of the temperatures of each of the heating element 14, 16, 18 or the cooktop 106 to be displayed or communicated through the indicator light(s) 19. The corresponding color and/or brightness of the indicator light(s) 19 can be changed in real time, in proportion to the information about the temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18; e.g. based on temperature signals coming from the associated temperature sensors.

In one embodiment, the indicator light(s) 19 can be positioned adjacent the heating elements 14, 16, 18 in a way clearly communicating to the user that the respective indicator light 19 conveys information about the respective heating element 14, 16, 18. For example, a plurality of indicator lights 19 can surround each heating element 14, 16, 18 forming a circle or a shape corresponding with the shape of the particular heating element 14, 16, 18. Groups of indicator lights 19 can also be arranged in any pattern, such as radial lines for example, extending laterally from the central portion of the associated heating element 14, 16, 18. In a further embodiment, the indicator lights 19 can be arranged in patterns of varying densities.

The properties of the indicator lights 19 may include individual colors (e.g., wavelengths), sequences of or time changing patterns of colors, ranges or groups of colors, intensities, sequences of intensities, ranges or groups of intensities, and other variations. For example, a bright light in a particular color (such as red or orange, for example) or a rapidly flashing light of the indicator light(s) 19 can signify a very hot heating element 14, 16, 18 or cooktop 106. Conversely, a dim light in a particular color (such as grey or light blue, for example) or a non-flashing light of the indicator light(s) 19 can signify a cooler heating element 14, 16, 18 or cooktop 106. The different light properties may be applied to all of the indicator lights 19 in a group or pattern, only to some of them, or only to one indicator light 19 at a time.

In one embodiment, each of the indicator lights 19 may be a multi-colored LED indicator, whose color changes may indicate different temperatures or temperature ranges of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 or the cooktop 106. For example, a red color of the indicator light 19 could indicate a cooktop temperature that is very hot, e.g. above 300° F. (chosen here for illustration, but it could be any preselected temperature). Another color, for example, orange, may indicate a temperature within a range below 300° F., e.g. 200-300° F. Still a further color, for example, yellow, may indicate a cooktop temperature in even a lower temperature range, e.g. 100-200° F. And yet another color, for example, blue, may indicate a temperature in still a lower range (e.g. 80-100° F.) but which may still be warn to the touch.

In an embodiment, the controller 22 can switch off the indicator light(s) 19 entirely when the cooktop 106 and/or the heating elements 14, 16, 18 return to a cool or ambient temperature, which may be defined as a predetermined value.

As a further alternative, one or a plurality of the multi-color LED(s) may be varied in color continuously, as opposed to via discrete color changes, as the temperature changes to provide a real-time indication as to temperature. For example, low temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 may be indicated by using a typical green or dark green color. Increasing temperatures of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 may be indicated by adaptively adjusting the color emitted from the indicator light(s) 19 to a lighter green or yellow. High temperatures of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 may be indicated by adjusting the color emitted from the indicator light(s) 19 to light orange, bright orange, light red, and all the way to a bright red color.

In addition to changing color, the brightness of the LED(s) or other lighted indicator(s) may also be adjusted to provide an indication of the temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106. For example, the brightest setting may indicate a temperature in the highest temperature range, and brightness can be gradually reduced to correspond to a continuously reducing residual temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 as each of these components cools. Brightness can be configured to vary linearly (e.g., proportional) or non-linearly (e.g., non-proportional) with the temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 to provide a suitable temperature indication to a consumer. For example, if the sensed temperature of a heating element increases by certain number degrees, the brightness of the LED(s) or other lighted indicator(s) can be augmented a certain percent; if the sensed heating element temperature drops by certain number degrees, the brightness of the LED(s) or other lighted indicator(s) can be decreased by a corresponding percent; etc.

Brightness of the LED(s) or other lighted indicator(s) can be controlled using a non-linear algorithm to indicate real-time sensed temperature differences as opposed to specific temperature references stored in a database with temperature values and/or ranges. This non-linear brightness control algorithm can be particularly useful when the user interface 20 is shared among multiple heating elements having different non-linear setting characteristics, such as induction-electric hybrid cooktops and cooktops with both warmer zones and regular electrical cooking elements. A similar non-linear function can be useful when the user interface 20 is used to control both the cooktop heating elements and the oven heating elements. The user can select a specific cooking function using the appropriate buttons, including heating element buttons 52 (shown as 52 a, 52 b, 52 c) for selectively operating the particular heating elements 14, 16, 18 and oven buttons 56 (shown as 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, 56 d) for operating the oven. Once the desired cooking function is selected, the corresponding cooking cycle can be divided into multiple time increments. For each such time increment, the non-linear brightness control algorithm can compare the actual sensed temperature to a temperature reference variable for the specific cooking function, which is essentially the desired cooking temperature for the specific cooking function. The algorithm can then calculate a non-linear temperature compensation value, which is the difference between the temperature reference variable and the actual sensed temperature. If the non-linear temperature compensation value is lower or higher than the temperature reference variable, the algorithm can calculate a corresponding brightness variation value, and can increase or decrease the brightness of the LED(s) or other lighted indicator(s) in accordance with that value. A table with multiple non-linear temperature compensation values for each cooking function and their corresponding LED(s) brightness variation values can be stored in the memory and accessed by the controller when performing the above-described non-linear brightness control algorithm.

In one embodiment, the controller 22 can conditionally update the control signals sent to the indicator lights 19 if at least one of a number of conditions or thresholds is met. The conditions or thresholds may include, but are not limited to, a minimum change in temperature value, a maximum change in temperature value, a range of temperature values, a minimum running time period, a maximum running time period, an indication of a stable value, an indication of an unstable value, etc. For example, the illumination brightness at a specific temperature level can vary using a non-linear correlation or mapping between the current temperature and various predetermined temperature levels, and provide convenient means to perform non-linear control of the illumination brightness to match it with human visual brightness perception. As will be appreciated, both color and brightness can respond simultaneously as above described to provide an indication of the temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106.

In one embodiment, the indicator lights 19 can be multi-color LEDs, such as RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LEDs capable of emitting red, green and blue light. The RGB indicator lights 19 can be utilized to emit different colors with different brightness/intensity levels rendered as combinations of the aforementioned primary colors. The RGB color model is additive in the sense that the three light beams are added together, and their light spectra sum, wavelength for wavelength, to make the final color's spectrum. For example, mixing two of the primary colors red, green and blue may result in secondary colors where two of the primary colors overlap (e.g., yellow from red and green, magenta from red and blue, and cyan from green and blue), while the combination of all three primary colors in equal intensities will produce white light. Depending on the brightness level of the participating primary color components, the resulting color may be more saturated or less saturated. When one of the primary color components has the highest brightness level, the resulting color may be a hue near that primary color (e.g., reddish, greenish, or bluish), and when two color components have the same brightness level, then the resulting color may be a hue of the respective secondary color (e.g., a shade of yellow, magenta, or cyan). When the brightness level for all participating color components is the same, the result may be a shade of gray, which may be darker or lighter depending on the brightness level of the participating primary colors.

A color in the RGB color model can be described by indicating how much of each of the red, green, and blue color is included. The color is expressed as an RGB triplet, each component of which can vary from zero to a defined maximum value. If all the components are at zero the result is black; if all are at maximum, the result is the brightest representable white. Each color component value can be represented as a percentage, from 0% to 100%. The table below provides examples of different brightness levels combinations of the primary colors red, green, and blue, which can be used in the user interface 20:

Brightness Level Red (%) Green (%) Blue (%) 1 100 100 0 2 100 50 0 3 100 25 25 4 75 25 75 5 75 0 50 6 75 0 25 7 50 0 0 8 0 0 50 9 0 0 25 10 0 0 0

For example, blue (B) color can be used for temperatures less than 100° C., green (G) for temperatures from 101° C. to 200° C., and red (R) for temperatures from 201° C. to 500° C. The increasing temperature of the heating unit may be displayed by gradually increasing the number of indicator lights 19 lit with a particular color, thus increasing the length of the representative color portion (i.e., the turned-on portion) of the temperature display unit to be proportional to the current temperature of the heating unit. An indicator light(s) 19 lit in white may be utilized to indicate to the user that the current temperature has reached a target temperature.

In one embodiment, a plurality of indicator lights 19 may surround each of the heating segments (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 18 a, 18 b, 18 c) of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and can form shapes corresponding with the shapes of the different segments (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 18 a, 18 b, 18 c). Similarly to the embodiment described above, groups of indicator lights 19 corresponding to each of the heating segments (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 18 a, 18 b, 18 c) can also be arranged in any pattern, such as radial lines for example, extending laterally from the central portion of the associated heating segment (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 18 a, 18 b, 18 c). In a further embodiment, the indicator lights 19 corresponding to various heating segments (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 18 a, 18 b, 18 c) can be arranged in patterns of varying densities.

In a further embodiment, the plurality of indicator lights 19 may be configured to represent a predetermined heat warning symbol, such as the word “HOT”, for example. The symbol “HOT” alone, without reference to symbols associated with other heating elements, can communicate to an observer that the cooktop surface is dangerously hot. The symbol “HOT” can be configured to be visible only when illuminated.

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of indicator lights 19 may be configured to represent information regarding the current temperature of the heating elements (such as, red for very high temperature suitable for boiling, yellow for medium temperature suitable for warming up and simmering, blue for low temperature indicating that the heating element has just started to warm up or is cooling down, etc.). Other conveyed information can indicate the preheat temperature for a heating elements or an oven, or whether the heating element and/or the oven has/have reached an optimum preset temperature. For example, a temperature display unit can include multiple indicator lights, each of which can emit light in various colors including blue, green and red, for example. The heating temperature range of the heating unit, such as oven or cooktop, can be divided into multiple temperature sections, and the current temperature of the heating unit can be displayed on one of the temperature sections based on changes of the temperature. The temperature range can encompass any temperatures utilized for cooking food, such as 200° F. to about 550° F. For example, blue color can be used for temperatures less than 100° C., green for temperatures between 101° C. to 200° C., and red for temperatures between 201° C. to 500° C. The increasing temperature of each heating element may be displayed by gradually increasing the number of indicator lights lit with a particular color, thus increasing the length of the representative color portion (i.e., the turned-on portion) of the temperature display to be proportional to the current temperature of the heating elements.

In a further embodiment, a white highlight may be used to indicate to the user that the current temperature has reached a target temperature for each temperature section. For example, when the current temperature of a heating unit is 90 degrees, a corresponding portion of the temperature display is illuminated in blue color, indicating that the current temperature of the heating unit is in the range of 100 degrees or less. When the temperature of the heating unit reaches a set by the user target temperature of 95 degrees, for example, the corresponding portion of the temperature display is illuminated with a white highlight, which allows the user to see that the heating unit has reached the target temperature.

In a further embodiment, the plurality of indicator lights 19 may be configured to represent information regarding a status of a timer setting (e.g., 10 minutes remaining on a set timer), how much time is left for cooking, or whether a heating element and/or an oven is currently in use.

In one embodiment, the indicator lights 19 may be included as part of the user interface 20 and/or the display 36. An example user interface 20 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. The user interface 20 may include a printed circuit board 30 (shown hidden) or a flexible circuit board that includes suitable touch sensor electrodes arranged into a suitable touch sensor array 32. The touch sensor array 32 can be shaped variously, such as linear, curved, annular, etc. to match the desired human interface design for interaction with the user's finger 34. A display device 36 may be located adjacent the touch sensor array 32. It is to be appreciated that any number of user interfaces could be provided, such as one user interface, two user interfaces, four user interfaces, etc. For example, each heating element 14, 16, 18 may be associated with a separate user interface. Additionally, although only one touch sensor array 32 is shown, it is understood that multiple touch sensor arrays can be provided.

The display 36 may include a temperature display unit 44 that can function to display the temperatures of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and the cooktop 106. The temperature display unit 44 can employ a light emitting device such as a high-brightness light emitting diode (LED), capable of variously varying a light-emitting color in order to increase visibility. The temperature display 44 unit can include one or more sub-units corresponding to each heating element 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106. The temperature range of the respective heating element 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 may further be divided into multiple temperature sections, and the current temperature of each heating element 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 can be displayed by using one of the temperature sections based on the color change of the temperature display unit 44. As described above, at least one of the sub-units of the temperature display unit 44 can include multi-color LED(s) that may be varied in color continuously, as opposed to via discrete color changes, as the temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 changes to provide an indication as to temperature. For example, the sub-units of the temperature display unit 44 can display low temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 by using a green color, increased temperatures by adaptively adjusting the color emitted from the indicator light(s) 19 to a lighter green or yellow, and high temperatures by adjusting the color to light orange, bright orange, light red, and all the way to a bright red color.

A bar graph 38 may be located adjacent the touch sensor array 32 to provide a visual feedback to the user. The bar graph 38 may be located entirely along the length of the touch sensor array 32, although it could be longer or shorter. In other embodiments, the bar graph 38 could even be located inside or overlaid upon of the touch sensor array 32. Additional fixed text elements could similarly be provided along the bar graph 38 of the touch sensor array 32. Additionally, a multi-segment display 40 and fixed text elements 42 are located within the display device 36, which can convey information both graphically and alphanumerically at the same time. The multi-segment display 40 is a numerical display (i.e., capable of displaying numbers and optionally letters and/or characters). In an embodiment, the multi-segment display 40 can display variable alphanumeric information. The display device 36 can also include fixed text elements 42 located adjacent to the multi-segment display, for selectively displaying fixed strings of text.

The bar graph 38, multi-segment display 40 and fixed text elements 42 can have light-emitting elements associated therewith for creating the displayed information through selective activation of the light-emitting elements. Moreover, any or all of the bar graph 38, multi-segment display 40 and fixed text elements 42 could utilize movable displays, such as LCD, OLED, or plasma displays that are capable of displaying grayscale or color images (static or video). It is to be appreciated that the bar graph 38, multi-segment display 40 and fixed text elements 42 can be provided in a common housing or as separate components, and part of the printed circuit board 30 or separate therefrom.

The bar graph 38 can be formed by a plurality of light-emitting elements 19 arranged in an array, such as a line or circle. Each light-emitting element 19 can form a small segment of the bar graph 38. It is to be appreciated that the bar graph 38 can include more or fewer light-emitting elements 19 than illustrated. Additionally, the light-emitting elements 19 can be equally spaced, or certain portions may be clustered closer together or spaced farther apart. Via selective activation of the light-emitting elements 19, various display effects can be created using the bar graph 38. For example, a single light-emitting element 19 can be activated to provide a small light segment. The small light segment can be made to move upwards or downwards along the linear bar graph 38 (or clockwise or counterclockwise around an annular display) by appropriately activating and deactivating light-emitting elements 19 in sequence. The small light segment can be lengthened in a particular direction by activating adjacent light-emitting elements 19. The lengthened light segment can be made to move along the bar graph 38 and can also be contracted or shortened into a smaller light segment. Further, multiple light segments can be displayed and made to move about the bar graph 38 or lengthened/shortened simultaneously. As shown, three indicator lights 19 are illuminated on the bar graph 38.

As noted above, the multi-segment display 40 can display variable alphanumeric information. The variable alphanumeric information can be related to information displayed graphically by the bar graph 38. For example, a light segment displayed by the bar graph 38 can graphically represent a level (e.g., a power level) of the heating elements 14, 16, 18, or temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106. The same level and/or temperature values can be displayed simultaneously as numbers on the multi-segment display 40. As the light segment moves or is lengthened/contracted on the bar graph 38, the number displayed by the multi-segment display 23 can change correspondingly.

The bar graph 38 may display a monitored condition, such as a temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106, for example. The bar graph 38 may be provided with one or more segments that may be controlled depending on the amount of the temperature signal measured by the temperature sensors 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d, 26 and transmitted to the controller 22. For example, the bar graph 38 may provide a visual representation of a relative amount along a continuum (i.e., a gauge effect showing 30%, 40%, 60% or other value) while the multi-segment display 40 can display an actual temperature (i.e., 360 degrees). The segments of the bar graph 38 may use multi-colored LEDs corresponding to the respective temperature of the heating elements 14, 16, 18 and/or the cooktop 106 in a similar manner as described above.

As noted above, the display device 36 can include fixed text elements 42 for selectively displaying fixed strings of text. The fixed text elements 42 can be displayed by activating one or more light-emitting elements 19 associated with the text elements 42. In FIG. 3, the example text element “HOT SURFACE” can be displayed by simultaneously activating one or several light-emitting elements 19 that are associated with the text element.

The user interface 20 can further include additional buttons for operating other features. These buttons can be provided variously, such as capacitive touch buttons, membrane buttons, physical switches, etc. When the user interface 20 is incorporated into the glass cooktop surface 106, these other buttons are preferably provided so as to be operable through the cooktop surface 106 (e.g., capacitive touch or similar touch-operated switches). Example buttons can include an ON-OFF button 50 for activating/deactivating the user interface 20 or even the appliance generally 10, heating element buttons 52 (shown as 52 a, 52 b, 52 c) for selectively operating the particular heating elements 14, 16, 18, a heating element size button 54, oven buttons 56 (shown as 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, 56 d) for operating the oven cavity 13, and auxiliary control buttons 58 (shown as 58 a, 58 b, 58 c) for operating auxiliary electronic control features. Although certain buttons are described, it is understood that any desired buttons can be provided.

As noted, the user interface 20 can be a part of the cooktop surface 106 such that the cooktop surface 106 provides the external surface for the user interface 20. In FIGS. 2-3, the cooktop 106 is the touch surface and the printed circuit board 30 (including the touch sensor electrodes) and displays 38, 40, 42 are attached (e.g., fastened or adhered) to the underside of the cooktop 106. For example, the circuit board can be glued or otherwise held (e.g., via a bracket or the like) to the underside of the cooktop. The cooktop 106 has the touch control area in register with the user interfaces, which are mounted directly beneath the touch control area. The touch control area includes graphics to inform the user of the location of the annular touch sensor arrays. Optionally, the touch surface (e.g., the cooktop 106) can be translucent or light-diffusing so that the annular bar graph, multi-segment display and fixed text elements are not visible when their corresponding light-emitting elements are deactivated.

Operations of the user interfaces 20 are controlled by the one or more controllers 22 (schematically shown in FIG. 2) in response to instructions input via the user interface. The controller 22 can be part of the circuit board 30 of the user interface, or remote from the user interface board. The controller 22 can be an electronic controller and can include one or more processors for executing a set of programmed instructions that cause the controller 22 to provide the functionality described herein. For example, the controller 22 can include one or more of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on a chip (SoC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), discrete logic circuitry, or the like. The controller 22 can further include memory and may store program instructions, configuration files, lookup tables with temperature values and ranges, and corresponding illumination colors, brightness, and intensity levels, predetermined heat warning symbols, etc. The memory may include one or more volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electrical media, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or the like. The controller 22 can further include one or more analog-to-digital (A/D) converters for processing various analog inputs to the controller 22.

In an embodiment, the processor and the temperature sensor circuitry may be included within a single integrated circuit. In another embodiment, the processor and temperature sensor circuitry may be provided in separate integrated circuits and the processor may communicate with the temperature sensor circuitry. It is to be appreciated that a controller including the temperature sensor circuitry could be formed from discrete electronic components. The controller 22 can monitor the temperature sensors for predetermined temperatures and temperature ranges. The controller 22 can selectively control the power unit 24 of the cooking appliance, and can correspondingly activate the light-emitting elements 19 of the user interface and/or display devices. In embodiments, the controller 22 can communicate with remote devices or even other controllers. Each user interface 20 can have a dedicated controller 22, or alternatively a single controller can control multiple user interfaces.

Illustrative embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above apparatuses and methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this disclosure. The disclosure is intended to include all such modifications and alterations disclosed herein or ascertainable herefrom by persons of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooktop comprising: a heating element; a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of at least a portion of the cooktop; an indicator light configured to provide a visual representation of a detected temperature by the temperature sensor; and a controller configured to receive a temperature signal from said temperature sensor and to output a control signal to said indicator light so that said indicator light provides said visual representation of the detected temperature through a continuous change in color and/or an intensity of emitted light.
 2. The cooktop of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is adjacent the said heating element.
 3. The cooktop of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is adjacent an area of the cooktop, remote from said heating element, whose temperature is to be detected.
 4. The cooktop of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to receive user inputs for controlling the operation of the cooktop.
 5. The cooktop of claim 1, comprising a plurality of indicator lights surrounding said heating element and forming a shape corresponding with the shape of said heating element.
 6. The cooktop of claim 5, the user interface comprising a display and a plurality of said indicator lights as part of the display.
 7. The cooktop of claim 1, the color and/or the intensity of said indicator light varying in a non-linear manner with the detected temperature.
 8. The cooktop of claim 1, said heating element comprising a variable size cooking zone defined at least in part by a first heating segment operable via a first operational setting and a second heating segment operable via a second operational setting that is independently controllable from the first operational setting.
 9. The cooktop of claim 8, further comprising respective pluralities of indicator lights surrounding each of the first heating segment and the second heating segment and forming respective shapes corresponding with the shapes of the first heating segment and the second heating segment.
 10. The cooktop of claim 9, wherein the color and/or the intensity of at least one of the respective pluralities of said indicator lights varies in a non-linear manner with the detected temperature.
 11. A cooking appliance comprising: a cooktop; a cooking cavity enclosed by a housing; a heating element associated with the cooktop and/or the cooking cavity; a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of at least a portion of the cooktop and/or the cooking cavity; an indicator light configured to provide a visual representation of a detected temperature by said temperature sensor; and a controller configured to receive a temperature signal from said temperature sensor and to output a control signal to said indicator light so that said indicator light provides said visual representation of the detected temperature through a continuous change in color and/or an intensity of emitted light.
 12. The cooking appliance of claim 11, further comprising a user interface configured to receive user inputs for controlling the operation of the cooktop and/or the cooking cavity.
 13. The cooking appliance of claim 12, wherein a heating element is supported below a cooktop surface, wherein the cooktop surface comprises the external surface of the user interface.
 14. The cooking appliance of claim 12, the user interface comprising a display and a plurality of indicator lights as part of the display.
 15. The cooking appliance of claim 11, the color and/or the intensity of the indicator light varying in a non-linear manner with the detected temperature.
 16. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein said heating element is a cooktop heating element.
 17. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein said heating element is one of a cooktop element, a bake element, a broil element, and a warmer drawer element.
 18. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein said heating element comprises one of an electrically resistive element heated by electric current flowing therethrough and an inductive heating coil. 